Washington Women’s Basketball Triumphs Over Penn State
In an impressive display of resilience and skill, the No. 25 Washington women’s basketball team secured a commanding 81-65 victory over Penn State on Wednesday evening at their home court in Seattle. The Huskies, who improved their record to 15 wins and 4 losses this season with a 5-3 standing in the Big Ten, initially led by a narrow margin of 38-37 at halftime.
Second Half Dominance
The second half, however, showcased Washington’s dominance, as they outscored the Nittany Lions by a significant 43-28. Washington struggled at the start of the third quarter, missing eight of their first ten shots from the field. Nevertheless, they capitalized on free throw opportunities, sinking six out of seven in the initial minutes to shift momentum and take a lead of 48-44.
Sayvia Sellers was pivotal during this stretch, contributing nine points in the quarter alone, which set the stage for Washington to lead 60-51 heading into the final period.
Final Quarter Highlights
The fourth quarter began with Avery Howell extending the lead with a three-pointer, allowing Washington to maintain a double-digit advantage for the remainder of the game. The Huskies’ lead peaked at 19 points, concluding at 81-65, firmly sealing the victory.
Sellers was the standout player, scoring 24 points, while Howell achieved a noteworthy double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds, marking her third of the season. Brynn McGaughy was also instrumental, coming off the bench to score 14 points and grab nine rebounds.
Penn State’s Struggles
For Penn State, Gracie Merkle led the scoring with 19 points, while Kiyomi McMiller added 11. The Nittany Lions, now holding a 7-13 record and winless in their last nine conference games (0-9), did show signs of life, particularly in the second quarter where they scored 26 points to close the gap.
Looking Ahead
This victory extends Washington’s strong home performance, marking their sixth win in the last seven games played at home in the conference, dating back to last season. Looking ahead, Penn State will travel to Oregon for their next match on Saturday, while Washington is set to face Rutgers on Sunday.
